http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/b...-NYT-MOD-MOD-M218-ROS-0911-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click
Also in yesterday's e-bird, I believe.
Also in yesterday's e-bird, I believe.
The article makes it sound like it's never been done before. The RU-8D was pretty much the same idea, take a twin Bonanza and slap a bunch of gear on it and get it airborne. Of course, they were ordered brand new by the Army, vice stealing them from Doctors...
http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/beechbonanza.html
Agreed. There's actually a plethora of platforms in various theatres that are doing the ISR missions right now that don't and haven't ever worn stars and bars.
And their pilots make $200k a year without any military bullshit to deal with, right?
I thought it was interesting that they aren't really super cheap at $20.5 million apiece.
And their pilots make $200k a year without any military bullshit to deal with, right?
Not from what I've gathered in talking with guys I work with. Sure, there's the odd Phrog job where you can make it rain, but the slightly more home-stable jobs aren't doling out the mad cash when you start. And you still have to pay your taxes.
$44M for a P-3
$50M for an EP-3
$54M for an F-18 (camera pod not included)
Seems like a pretty good deal to me, if you know that's the only mission you want and you're planning on putting the birds on the used market when you get defunded next fiscal year. . .
That is true if you are trying to just fly, but if you can/will take on some management responsibility as well you can still make good money. But like others, I think that well is going to start running dry soon.
Tried that. Was a no go. Going the Civ route for now.Beale is now homeplate for MC-12 training. Come on over to fly U-2s and a tour in MC-12s may be a possibility.